The Creamiest Green Bean Casserole Recipe Everyone Loves
Creamy, savory, and utterly irresistible, this world’s best green bean casserole recipe delivers a mouthwatering side dish that steals the show at any dinner table.
Golden crispy onions crown a luscious mixture of tender green beans and rich, velvety sauce.
Each forkful promises a perfect balance of textures and flavors that dance on your palate.
Fresh green beans provide a vibrant base for the decadent cream sauce, making this dish far more exciting than ordinary vegetable sides.
Generations of home cooks have perfected this classic comfort food, blending traditional techniques with modern culinary flair.
The secret lies in carefully selected ingredients and a technique that ensures maximum deliciousness.
One bite, and you’ll understand why this casserole has become a beloved staple at potlucks and holiday gatherings.
Quick Recipe Overview
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 28 minutes
Total Time: 38 minutes
Calories: 150 kcal
Servings: 7
Ingredients for the World’s Best Green Bean Casserole
For Base Ingredients:
Butter: Adds a luxurious, golden richness that elevates the entire dish's flavor profile.
Garlic: Brings a pungent, aromatic essence that creates depth and excitement in every bite.
Onion: Introduces a sweet, caramelized undertone that balances the casserole's complex flavors.
For Vegetable and Broth Components:
Button Mushrooms, Fresh Green Beans: Create a hearty, earthy texture that makes the casserole satisfyingly substantial. Choose firm, bright green beans and mushrooms without blemishes for the best results.
Low-Sodium Chicken Broth: Provides a delicate, savory foundation that gently enhances the vegetables' natural flavors without overwhelming saltiness.
For Creamy and Finishing Elements:
Low-Sodium Cream of Mushroom Soup: Delivers a silky, comforting base that binds ingredients together with a classic, homey touch.
Parmesan Cheese: Sprinkles a nutty, sharp accent that adds sophisticated complexity to the casserole.
Salt, Black Pepper: Carefully calibrate these seasonings to awaken and harmonize all the ingredient profiles.
Crispy Onion Strings: Crown the dish with a delightful, crunchy contrast that provides textural excitement and irresistible golden-brown appeal.
Tools for Green Bean Casserole Perfection
Large skillet: Essential for sautéing onions, mushrooms, and garlic with rich, deep flavors.
Medium saucepan: Perfect for boiling and cooking green beans to crisp-tender perfection.
2-quart baking dish: Ideal size for mixing and baking the casserole, ensuring even cooking.
Large mixing bowl: Crucial for combining all ingredients smoothly and thoroughly.
Cooking spray: Helps prevent sticking and makes cleanup easier.
Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for stirring and mixing ingredients without damaging cookware.
Colander: Helpful for draining green beans after boiling.
Steps to Make the World’s Best Green Bean Casserole
Oven Preparation Warm up the kitchen by setting the oven to a cozy temperature.
Flavor Foundation Create a delicious base by gently sautéing onions and mushrooms in a skillet until they're soft and fragrant.
Green Bean Magic Quickly blanch fresh green beans in boiling broth, keeping them crisp and vibrant.
Mixing Magic Blend the sautéed vegetables with creamy soup and tender green beans in a large mixing bowl, creating a harmonious mixture.
Crispy Topping Sprinkle crunchy onion strings over the casserole for an irresistible golden-brown crown.
Final Transformation Slide the casserole into the warm oven and let it bubble and transform into a mouthwatering dish that brings comfort and joy to the table.
Tips & Tweaks for Green Bean Casserole Greatness
Cooking Tips & Variations
Fresh Ingredient Swap: Replace canned green beans with fresh or frozen green beans for a more vibrant, crisp texture that elevates the entire dish.
Cheese Adventure: Experiment with different cheese varieties like sharp cheddar, gruyère, or Swiss to add unique depth and richness to the casserole's flavor profile.
Protein Power-Up: Incorporate cooked chicken, bacon bits, or crumbled sausage to transform this side dish into a hearty main course that satisfies bigger appetites.
Crunch Factor: Create a homemade crispy topping by mixing panko breadcrumbs with crushed crackers or toasting your own seasoned breadcrumbs for an extra-crunchy golden layer.
Dietary Twist: Make this recipe gluten-free by using cornstarch instead of flour, selecting gluten-free cream of mushroom soup, and ensuring your crispy onions are gluten-free certified.
Plating the World’s Best Green Bean Casserole
Family Feast Companion: Serve alongside roasted turkey or glazed ham for a classic holiday meal that brings everyone together around the table.
Comfort Plate Partner: Pair with creamy mashed potatoes and a tender roast chicken to create a hearty, soul-warming dinner that feels like a warm hug.
Crowd-Pleasing Side: Elevate your potluck or summer barbecue by bringing this casserole as a rich, crowd-favorite side dish that disappears quickly from the buffet table.
Leftover Magic Maker: Transform next-day leftovers into a delicious lunch by adding some shredded rotisserie chicken and serving over rice for a quick and satisfying meal.
Make-Ahead Tips for Green Bean Casserole
Smart Batch Cooking: Prepare two casseroles simultaneously, keeping one for later enjoyment. Wrap the second dish tightly with aluminum foil and refrigerate for up to 3 days before baking.
Freezer-Friendly Strategy: Cool the casserole completely before transferring to a freezer-safe container. Seal tightly and store for 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes.
Portion Control Magic: Divide the casserole into individual serving containers for quick meal prep. These single-serve portions make excellent grab-and-go lunches or quick dinner solutions during busy weeks.
Crispy Topping Tip: Store crispy onion strings separately in an airtight container to maintain their crunch. Sprinkle fresh onion strings just before serving to prevent soggy texture when reheating leftover casserole.
Modern cooks adore this green bean casserole starring fresh green beans, crispy onions, and creamy mushroom sauce. Comfort classics from American kitchens shine when made with carefully selected ingredients and traditional cooking techniques.
Ingredients
Scale
10.75 oz (305 g) low-sodium cream of mushroom soup
3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
3 cups fresh green beans, ends removed and cut in half
8 oz (226 g) button mushrooms, sliced
2 tbsps butter
½ cup onion, finely diced
¼ cup parmesan cheese, grated
2 cloves garlic, minced
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper
crispy onion strings
Instructions
Preparation Prelude: Preheat the oven to 350°F, establishing the ideal thermal environment for culinary transformation.
Aromatic Foundation: Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté onions and mushrooms until they reach peak tenderness, introducing minced garlic to release its fragrant essence. Remove from heat after a brief flavor-infusion moment.
Green Bean Transformation: Combine green beans with chicken broth in a saucepan. Bring to a rolling boil, allowing beans to become crisp-tender for approximately 8 minutes. Drain completely, setting aside the vibrant vegetables.
Flavor Composition: In a substantial mixing bowl, choreograph a harmonious blend of cream soup, sautéed mushroom mixture, prepared green beans, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper. Whisk together to create a cohesive flavor profile.
Baking Finale: Coat a 2-quart baking dish with cooking spray. Transfer the vegetable mixture into the prepared dish, then crown with a lavish layer of crispy onion strings. Slide into the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes, watching for bubbling edges and heated core that signal culinary perfection.
Notes
Prep Like a Pro: Thoroughly drain green beans to prevent a watery casserole and ensure crispy, rich texture.
Mushroom Magic: Sauté mushrooms and onions until deeply golden for maximum flavor development and caramelized depth.
Crispy Topping Trick: Add onion strings in the last 5-10 minutes of baking to maintain maximum crunchiness and prevent burning.
Temperature Control: Let casserole rest 5-10 minutes after baking to allow flavors to settle and make serving easier.
Dietary Planning, Public Health Nutrition, Nutritional Education, Content Development
Education
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree: Master of Science in Nutritional Sciences
Focus: Research on dietary patterns and their impact on chronic diseases.
Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)
Credential: Expertise in translating nutrition science into practical advice.
Emily Roberts is our content specialist and registered dietitian at HealthyChoices.org. With her Master’s degree in Nutritional Sciences from the University of Illinois and her Registered Dietitian Nutritionist certification, Emily uses her deep nutrition knowledge to write helpful, easy-to-understand guides about healthy eating.
Her warm, practical advice empowers readers to confidently make healthier choices, turning everyday meals into simple moments of wellness and joy.
Emily Roberts
Content Creator & Kitchen Tips Specialist
Expertise
Dietary Planning, Public Health Nutrition, Nutritional Education, Content Development
Education
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)
Emily Roberts is our content specialist and registered dietitian at HealthyChoices.org. With her Master’s degree in Nutritional Sciences from the University of Illinois and her Registered Dietitian Nutritionist certification, Emily uses her deep nutrition knowledge to write helpful, easy-to-understand guides about healthy eating.
Her warm, practical advice empowers readers to confidently make healthier choices, turning everyday meals into simple moments of wellness and joy.